first flatty fire up
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Hamrick Lake, Winona, TX
first flatty fire up
Some of you might remember a few years ago I bought a 1951 F1 out of an estate. It was built by an older gentleman but unfinished, as in no wiring of any kind. I got it home and started figuring out what I bought. It appeared to have a newly built flathead V8, power disk front brakes, 12v, 94 carb, stock distributor with a pertronix inside. I bought a racers black box fuse board and started wiring. I'm 3/4 done with wiring now and started itching to hear the flatty run. I spent a week getting the fuel pump pumping, another week getting the vacuum pot on the distributor replaced, a day on plug wires, a couple of days getting the distributor timed right (maybe). Today she ran for 20 minutes a couple of times. I get a few backfires through the exhaust and she won't take much or any throttle. Idle is decent. So, do the backfires indicate my distributor is a notch or two off? She starts with just a bump on the starter. Does the carb need an overhaul. It sat dry for several years and is unknown before that. Any input is appreciated. You guys got me this far.
Ross Canant
Ross Canant
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Congrats on your first fire! You must be close on timing if it starts so quickly, but have you timed it with a timing light? Could be a bit retarded.
If the engine sat for a long time after the rebuild, it's likely you have some valves that are sticking. A compression test will tell you pretty quickly.
Can't hurt to have a look inside the carb.
If the engine sat for a long time after the rebuild, it's likely you have some valves that are sticking. A compression test will tell you pretty quickly.
Can't hurt to have a look inside the carb.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
You can get pretty close "tuning by ear". As you turn the distributor, with the vacuum line disconnected and plugged, you can hear where it noticeably perks up. Flatheads don't need/like lots of advance, so that is where you want to be until you can set it with a light.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Tehachapi CA
I love to hear an old engine come back to life!
Got my unknown 226 running again about a year ago. Every time I start it up it sounds fantastic.
People forget after time passes, how these old vehicles made a difference in their era.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Got my unknown 226 running again about a year ago. Every time I start it up it sounds fantastic.
People forget after time passes, how these old vehicles made a difference in their era.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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